CBP Officers Seize $900,000 Worth of Meth in California

CBP officers encountered the driver of the 2002 Ford Explorer at about 9:30 a.m. as he waited in line for inspection. Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (A-TCET) officers were conducting pre-primary roving operations when they targeted the vehicle and driver for inspection. Officers approached the driver and became suspicious when he exhibited signs of nervousness during questioning.

Upon examination of the vehicle officers discovered a non-factory compartment behind the passenger side front fender. Officers utilized a Human/Narcotic Detector Dog (HNDD) that alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from within the vehicle.

The driver and vehicle were escorted to the secondary area for further investigation.

During the secondary inspection, the vehicle was screened by x-ray imaging equipment that revealed anomalies behind both front fenders.

Officers extracted 40 wrapped packages of methamphetamine weighing almost 45 pounds from both side front fenders and firewall. Total street value of the narcotics is almost $900,000.

The driver was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and transported to the Metropolitan Correctional Center to await arraignment. The vehicle was seized by CBP.

During the first five month of Fiscal Year 2008, CBP officers at the Port of San Ysidro, Calif., (which encompasses the Otay Mesa border station) have seized almost 137,000 pounds of narcotics.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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